The strategizing over setting up the rules for the debates is interesting, if sad. Certainly, they show how much this is a show, not a debate about issues.
For example, in order for Bush to agree to a third debate where he'd have to actually answer audience questions, the Bush camp insisted the temperature for the debates not be below 70 (they noted in footage that Kerry sweats when it gets warm, and hope that will make him look dodgy); they insisted that the podiums be short and far away (so Bush wouldn't be easily compared against Kerry physically), etc. and so forth. The Kerry camp, going with the theory that the more debates the better, conceded.
Since traditionally viewer numbers fall sharply after the first debate, I think the Kerry campaign concessions may have been a mistake. But we'll see what comes out of the third debate.
I think the fact that the campaigns insisted on "friendly" audience members for each candidate is lame. Unless those audience members get to ask challenging questions of the opposing candidate, that is. Anyone know if that's the case?
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